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College football: NCAA committee tables 10-second rule

OU coach Bob Stoops, left, and Alabama coach Nick Saban are on opposing sides of a proposed rule change that would slow down fast-paced offenses. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Asked by reporters last month for evidence that up-tempo offenses are unsafe, Bielema responded, “Death certificates,” referring to a California football player who died in a recent offseason workout.

Saban told ESPN.com that his safety concerns are based on common sense.

“The fastball guys say there’s no data out there, and I guess you have to use some logic,” Saban told the website Tuesday. “What’s the logic? If you smoke one cigarette, do you have the same chances of getting cancer if you smoke 20? I guess there’s no study that specifically says that. But logically, we would say, ‘Yeah, there probably is.’”

Several other coaches have suggested the real reason behind the proposal is strategic, and is the result of old-school coaches like Saban being unable or unwilling to adapt to a changing game.

“There’s no statistical evidence whatsoever that shows it's not as safe as those who huddle,” Stoops told The Oklahoman last month. “I believe it is for more strategical purposes than anything.”

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by Jason Kersey

OU Sports Reporter

Jason Kersey became The Oklahoman's OU football beat writer in May 2012 after a year covering high school sports and OSU recruiting. Before joining the newspaper in November 2006 as a part-time results clerk, he covered high school football for...